Industrial ecology in China, part I : Research

In sum, a small number of Chinese academic institutions are vanguards in initiating research in industrial ecology theory and practical tools.³ The research, however, is still near its very inception and is fragmented in nature. Institutional capacity in terms of research networks remains to be enhanced. Overall, the government has not been sensitized to the broad potential of industrial ecology, although there is some interest in development of a closed-loop economy and EIPs. The Natural Science Foundation of China, a quasi-governmental grant-making organization, has supported a few academic studies, such as an LCA of municipal solid waste management, of eco-tourism in natural reserves, and of agroproducts, as well as development of green manufacturing and eco-industry. Most science and technology programs, however, are administered by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The ministry has funded many other environmental planning and management studies, but it has not yet supported any major studies on industrial ecology except for the subjects of cleaner production and LCA for new materials.